To mangle an old saying, “Some people are born parents, some have parenthood thrust upon them.” “Life As We Know It” takes a sweet and funny look at what happens to two people who could not be more different when they suddenly find parenthood (and togetherness) thrust upon them.
Holly Berenson, played by Katherine Heigl, is a driven, up-and-coming restaurateur, whose polar opposite, Eric Messer, played by Josh Duhamel, is a relaxed, barely-grown-up frat boy who is now a promising network producer. In the opening scenes we see Holly and Messer, as he is known, interact disastrously, thrown together often once their respective best friends meet, marry, and have an adorable daughter, Sophie. Tragedy strikes, and Holly and Messer, as Sophie’s godparents, are left to raise a one year old in the home of their departed friends.
The most comic moments of the movie come from the clashing personalities of Holly and Messer. Holly turns immediately to parenting books and tries to raise Sophie “by the books”. Messer has a more, well, messy style. But both share a love for Sophie and a devotion to the wishes of their friends. Non-parents in the audience may miss out on the references to The Wiggles and Wonder Pets, but despite the tragic setup, the light tone of the movie makes it an amusing ride.
The best part of the movie was watching Messer’s transformation, as he grows to love Sophie and to grow into his unplanned role as a parent. The development of the relationship between Holly and Messer develop was not as believable, however – the stars lacked some chemistry together, and the sudden shifts were not smooth. I thought the ending was not credible, although it did tie up all the loose strings rather neatly. I could not help but feel sorry for Dr. Sam, left out in the cold (and for a moment I idly wondered if I had any single friends in Atlanta that I could introduce to him – can’t let a catch like that go free!).
This was not a movie filled with belly laughs, but it was a pleasant, amusing tale, and an enjoyable movie to watch. I would give it three and a half stars out of five for the funny parenting scenes, character development of Messer, and (to be completely frank) the eye candy of Messer and Dr. Sam.
For more info on the movie, please go to www.lifeasweknowitmovie.com . “Life as We Know It” is rated PG-13. I have received compensation for this review but the content of this review reflects my own opinion.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
September 11, 2010 -- Remembering and Celebrating
On September 11 this year, I will be remembering with sorrow the good people lost that clear and bright September day nine years ago. But I will also be moving forward and celebrating, enjoying the religious freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment of our Constitution. Ganesh Chaturthi, the Hindu celebration of the elephant-headed god Ganesh, falls on September 11 this year. We will be decorating our home, making special foods, and hosting an honored guest, the priest who performed our wedding, for a special ritual.
Ganesh is known as the “god of obstacles.” We look to Ganesh to help us through difficult times and to make the way smooth, but if we are not following the correct path, Ganesh will put obstacles in our way to try to guide us. He loves sweets almost as much as my son does, and he treasures his family. He is usually depicted with his hands raised in blessing. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh returns to Earth for a short time to enjoy being with his devotees. At the end of the celebration, clay icons of Ganesh are immersed in water, returning him to the soil from which he came and symbolizing the cycle of life and death that rules over every living creature.
Although my heart still aches for those lost on September 11, moving forward and celebrating helps ease that pain. I am proud to live in a country where we are free to worship as we choose and to celebrate as we choose. This Ganesh Chaturthi, we pray that this valuable freedom will be honored and treasured by all Americans.
Ganesh is known as the “god of obstacles.” We look to Ganesh to help us through difficult times and to make the way smooth, but if we are not following the correct path, Ganesh will put obstacles in our way to try to guide us. He loves sweets almost as much as my son does, and he treasures his family. He is usually depicted with his hands raised in blessing. On Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh returns to Earth for a short time to enjoy being with his devotees. At the end of the celebration, clay icons of Ganesh are immersed in water, returning him to the soil from which he came and symbolizing the cycle of life and death that rules over every living creature.
Although my heart still aches for those lost on September 11, moving forward and celebrating helps ease that pain. I am proud to live in a country where we are free to worship as we choose and to celebrate as we choose. This Ganesh Chaturthi, we pray that this valuable freedom will be honored and treasured by all Americans.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Holiday Challenge: An Update
Here's how I'm doing so far on my Holiday Challenge:
- I requested a pile of books at www.paperbackswap.com and pretty much ran through all my credits. I requested a total of three books for my 6 year old, two for my 2 year old, two for my husband (my husband is, alas, not a reading enthusiast but I found some travel books that I think he will like) and one for me (hey, I deserve a present too!).
- I won a drawing on the blog Moms Mutterings. (http://momsmutterings.blogspot.com) for a $25 gift certificate to ABC Ties. This will be a nice Diwali gift for my husband!
- I found a couple of nice new tops for me for Diwali at a local thrift store. One is a lovely fancy top, and I think it will go great with some bottoms I already have. The other is a more simple top that I’m considering altering to make it into a tunic – depending on whether I feel adventurous enough to dust off my rusty sewing skills. Even if I do not alter it, I think some leggings would go great with it. Plus I also found a lovely Italian leather purse, not sure how old it is but it’s in beautiful condition. Total spent so far on clothing and accessories for me: $14.
- I ordered two piggy banks and one kid’s t-shirt from Kellogg’s with their Toy Story 3 promotion http://toystory3.kelloggs.com/ . I had a few codes from Kellogg’s cereal boxes and traded stamps (from Quad Readers Club) for the rest. Waiting on one more code to order one more t-shirt.
Running total spent (listed by gift recipient):
6 year old - $0
2 year old - $1
Husband - $0
Me - $14
Friday, August 6, 2010
Holiday Challenge Update #1
A few more details on my Holiday Challenge:
I’m not counting the cost of stamps that I use to mail OUT things (like for refunds or mail in gift-with-purchase), but I will count in my total the cost of any shipping from an online site or catalog. I usually count shipping as part of the cost of a purchase anyway, so I won’t change my internal accounting for the challenge.
For Diwali, the gifts that I plan to give are new clothes for each of a 2 year old girl, 6 year old boy, my husband and I. The kids will also receive toys and other goodies.
For Christmas, I plan to give stocking stuffers for a 2 year old girl, 6 year old boy, my husband and I; plus stocking stuffers for three of my husband’s cousins (2 guys, 1 gal) whom we will be meeting on a holiday trip (shh – don’t tell them about their presents – it’s a surprise.) Also two secret Santa gifts (adults) and 10 teacher gifts (these have already been taken care of since I hit the 90% off clearance sale at Bath & Body Works last January – price tags still on, so I’ll calculate the cost of these). Plus my mommies group sponsors a needy family every holiday – we all pitch in a little bit of money for items on the family’s wish list, and I always put together some little gifts for each member of the family too. This is the tricky one to plan in advance – we don’t know until a few weeks before the holiday the composition of the family, so there could be kids from baby age all the way through high school. For the challenge, I won’t count the monetary gift but I will count the cost of the “extras” that I give.
I’m off to a pretty good start already, I think. Here’s what I have so far:
I’m not counting the cost of stamps that I use to mail OUT things (like for refunds or mail in gift-with-purchase), but I will count in my total the cost of any shipping from an online site or catalog. I usually count shipping as part of the cost of a purchase anyway, so I won’t change my internal accounting for the challenge.
For Diwali, the gifts that I plan to give are new clothes for each of a 2 year old girl, 6 year old boy, my husband and I. The kids will also receive toys and other goodies.
For Christmas, I plan to give stocking stuffers for a 2 year old girl, 6 year old boy, my husband and I; plus stocking stuffers for three of my husband’s cousins (2 guys, 1 gal) whom we will be meeting on a holiday trip (shh – don’t tell them about their presents – it’s a surprise.) Also two secret Santa gifts (adults) and 10 teacher gifts (these have already been taken care of since I hit the 90% off clearance sale at Bath & Body Works last January – price tags still on, so I’ll calculate the cost of these). Plus my mommies group sponsors a needy family every holiday – we all pitch in a little bit of money for items on the family’s wish list, and I always put together some little gifts for each member of the family too. This is the tricky one to plan in advance – we don’t know until a few weeks before the holiday the composition of the family, so there could be kids from baby age all the way through high school. For the challenge, I won’t count the monetary gift but I will count the cost of the “extras” that I give.
I’m off to a pretty good start already, I think. Here’s what I have so far:
- Walgreens has both Crayola washable markers and Crayola 24 pack crayons free after rebate this week (ending 8/07), so I picked these up. Actually, these were better than free, because both were purchased with a 15% off coupon, and I’ll receive the full price in the refund.
- I mailed in for free Small Book of Big Fun from National Geographic. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/new/big-book-of-fun/ My 6 year old will love this.
- I cashed in one of my book credits at www.paperbackswap.com for a Lego Knights book. This will go great with some Lego Knights figures that I had previously purchased on ebay with paypal (paypal earned at www.quickrewards.net ).
- I plan to stop by Borders today to pick up a free Glitter Ball. http://www.bordersmedia.com/coup/20100806glitterball.html Thanks to the original poster at http://www.freesamplesite.com/ydf/forumdisplay.php?1-Freebies-Discounts-Deals&order=desc ! This will go great in my 2 year old’s stocking.
How are you doing so far?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August = Time to Start the Holiday Challenge
Ah – August. We have settled into summer, with endless days of heat and humidity. The swimsuits are all stretched and faded from constant use. Hacking open a watermelon is the only kind of cooking that I want to do. The dog reminds me, with his uncanny ability to find the coolest spot in any place, why these are the dog days of summer. In August, I lift my eyes to the calendar, and find myself mentally preparing – for the holidays.
The holidays? Aren’t they 4 months and 1 ½ seasons away?
Precisely. That’s precisely when an obsessive over-planner (like Darth Mama) starts getting ready. Well, not exactly. I never really stop getting ready for the next one. I just start gearing up more now.
This year, I’m trying something a little different. As an obsessive over-planner and a compulsive bargain shopper, I have a tendency to go a little (a lot) (an ENORMOUS AMOUNT) overboard. Now, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop flinging myself overboard, but I’ll add a twist – and maybe a double back flip – this year.
Which brings me to the twist -- my HOLIDAY CHALLENGE. This year’s theme? How low can you go. How little can I spend while still doing my usual big holiday splash for the kiddies and my husband?
A few simple rules for my challenge – I start now, where I am and with what I have. For example, I have about $9 in gift cards sitting in my account at http://www.amazon.com/. In my holiday challenge, I am free to use that amount without “charging” it to my cash total (especially since those gift cards were free with swagbucks, but that’s another blog post). The cost of stamps will not be included in my holiday total (mostly because I don’t think I’ll be able to keep track of all the stamps I use for sending in rebates, and because I receive 10 stamps a month free from Quad Readers Club – but again, that’s another blog post). If I have stuff squirreled away in my house, it’s free game to use as gifts, because there’s no way I’ll remember accurately how much I paid for it, and it’s better to use what I’ve got than to keep on buying (plus I just stumbled across a Hello Kitty poster yesterday hidden away in my kitchen cabinets – don’t’ ask how it ended up there -- that would be GREAT for my daughter’s room). Gifts with purchase count as free so long as there is a real use for the purchase. For example, if I buy a happy meal for lunch and save the toy for a kiddie present, the toy counts as free only if I actually eat the happy meal for lunch (and do not eat two lunches, which is something that I should not do even if it doesn’t violate my Holiday Challenge rules).
And here’s the double back flip part – our family celebrates Diwali as our big holiday, which falls on November 5 in 2010. So, I’ll have to finish the bulk of my challenge BEFORE the Black Friday sales. We also do stockings for Christmas but the gifts are much, much smaller. That means two holidays instead of one, with the big part coming early.
So – here’s the first things I did for the challenge:
The holidays? Aren’t they 4 months and 1 ½ seasons away?
Precisely. That’s precisely when an obsessive over-planner (like Darth Mama) starts getting ready. Well, not exactly. I never really stop getting ready for the next one. I just start gearing up more now.
This year, I’m trying something a little different. As an obsessive over-planner and a compulsive bargain shopper, I have a tendency to go a little (a lot) (an ENORMOUS AMOUNT) overboard. Now, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop flinging myself overboard, but I’ll add a twist – and maybe a double back flip – this year.
Which brings me to the twist -- my HOLIDAY CHALLENGE. This year’s theme? How low can you go. How little can I spend while still doing my usual big holiday splash for the kiddies and my husband?
A few simple rules for my challenge – I start now, where I am and with what I have. For example, I have about $9 in gift cards sitting in my account at http://www.amazon.com/. In my holiday challenge, I am free to use that amount without “charging” it to my cash total (especially since those gift cards were free with swagbucks, but that’s another blog post). The cost of stamps will not be included in my holiday total (mostly because I don’t think I’ll be able to keep track of all the stamps I use for sending in rebates, and because I receive 10 stamps a month free from Quad Readers Club – but again, that’s another blog post). If I have stuff squirreled away in my house, it’s free game to use as gifts, because there’s no way I’ll remember accurately how much I paid for it, and it’s better to use what I’ve got than to keep on buying (plus I just stumbled across a Hello Kitty poster yesterday hidden away in my kitchen cabinets – don’t’ ask how it ended up there -- that would be GREAT for my daughter’s room). Gifts with purchase count as free so long as there is a real use for the purchase. For example, if I buy a happy meal for lunch and save the toy for a kiddie present, the toy counts as free only if I actually eat the happy meal for lunch (and do not eat two lunches, which is something that I should not do even if it doesn’t violate my Holiday Challenge rules).
And here’s the double back flip part – our family celebrates Diwali as our big holiday, which falls on November 5 in 2010. So, I’ll have to finish the bulk of my challenge BEFORE the Black Friday sales. We also do stockings for Christmas but the gifts are much, much smaller. That means two holidays instead of one, with the big part coming early.
So – here’s the first things I did for the challenge:
- I moved that Hello Kitty poster to my gift stash so I can find it at holiday time. That's assuming my stash stays in the same place, and I do not forget where my current stash is (now you understand even better the "if it's in the house, it's free game" rule. I estimate I have at least three stashes that I've lost and I am still hoping to stumble across).
- I sent off for a free Toy Story 3 story book from Band-Aid with three proofs of purchase. http://www.bandaid.com/offers
- I checked my credits at http://www.paperbackswap/ and pondered what the kiddies would like, but have not ordered anything yet.
Anyone care to join me in my holiday challenge? Jump in with a comment!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Migraine battles
The last few days have been marked by migraine battles -- I've been victorious lately, but I have an awful feeling that my days as migraine conqueror are numbered. The migraine is like a small dark cloud of buzzing gnats, hovering about 4 inches above my left temple. I can see them gathering there and feel the heat coming off their beating wings. If I focus hard enough, and eat/drink/do all the right things, they'll stay hovering there. One false move, though, and they will turn into locusts and descend on me, devouring all in their path. I have no wish to be chewed up and spit out by those beasts, so I fight the good fight and hold the migraine holds off.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
National Donut Day and other goodies
National Donut Day is June 4! What a great holiday. Can’t wait for the parade for this one. Free donut with any beverage purchase at Dunkin Donuts on June 4.
Free 20 page photobook from Shutterfly if you “like” them on Facebook. http://apps.facebook.com/shutterflyphotobook/contests/25404 I’ll like anyone if they give me free stuff! Click on the “like” button, then click on “claim coupon”. Copy your unique code and enter it in your account at Shutterfly (shutterfly.com/create-free-photobook). The code is good until 6/30/10.
Some good free stuff at Walmart.com – Three Dog Bakery treats - http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid88237.aspx , Cottonelle tissue, Crest 3D Whitestrips, Playtex tampons, Prilosec. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx Purina cat or dog food –
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid84375.aspx?toLoad=4
Coupon from Picture People for free 8 x 10 plus 25% off your portrait purchase. http://f.chtah.com/i/42/1884124973/sr7.html
Free Reynolds Wrap toy car when you buy 2 rolls of foil http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/grilling/Die-Cast-car_ORDER_FORM.pdf
Free 20 page photobook from Shutterfly if you “like” them on Facebook. http://apps.facebook.com/shutterflyphotobook/contests/25404 I’ll like anyone if they give me free stuff! Click on the “like” button, then click on “claim coupon”. Copy your unique code and enter it in your account at Shutterfly (shutterfly.com/create-free-photobook). The code is good until 6/30/10.
Some good free stuff at Walmart.com – Three Dog Bakery treats - http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid88237.aspx , Cottonelle tissue, Crest 3D Whitestrips, Playtex tampons, Prilosec. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx Purina cat or dog food –
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid84375.aspx?toLoad=4
Coupon from Picture People for free 8 x 10 plus 25% off your portrait purchase. http://f.chtah.com/i/42/1884124973/sr7.html
Free Reynolds Wrap toy car when you buy 2 rolls of foil http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/grilling/Die-Cast-car_ORDER_FORM.pdf
Book Review - Good, Better, Best Wines
I hate, hate, hate going to the wine store – sure it’s nice to enjoy some wine in the evening, especially now that the weather is nice & the mosquitoes have not yet succeeded in conquering our yard (they are working on it), and it’s great to discover a hidden gem to share with friends, but finding that hidden gem (and not paying as much as you would for an actual gemstone) is almost impossible. I stand there in the store, looking at pictures on labels and price tags and places of origin and pretentious little cards proclaiming that such-and-such bottle has “hints of apricot” and I feel like I’m stuck in an exam that I forgot to study for. I dither and ponder, until finally, out of desperation, I grab the bottle with the cute logo. (We drink a lot of wine with penguins on the label.) Then I wonder if I’ve paid too much just for the logo.
But now, I have a secret weapon. I won a copy of Good, Better, Best Wines by Carolyn Evans Hammond in a blog contest, and it has changed my wine store experience for the better. The book lists only nationally available wines, all under $15, and ranks them as good, better and best in their price range. At last! Something that tells me whether the penguin is better than the black cat. (Turns out the penguin was not a bad choice at all). I gave it a try last weekend when we had a few friends over for a barbeque, and followed the book’s recommendation for a sangria that turned out to be perfect for a summer evening. The book is simple to use, written in clear, easy to understand language, with none of that “notes of apricots and hints of cherry mixed with oak” stuff that is so confusing about other wine books. It’s a convenient size to carry along to the store, too, and I didn’t feel like a complete idiot thumbing through the pages while wandering through the aisles. Even though I’m really a beer person at heart (and stomach), now I feel like I can choose a wine that doesn’t have to be cute.
Want a copy for yourself? It’s available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Good-Better-Best-Wines-No-Nonsense/dp/1592579779 . You can like them on facebook, too http://www.facebook.com/goodbetterbestwines?v=wall .
But now, I have a secret weapon. I won a copy of Good, Better, Best Wines by Carolyn Evans Hammond in a blog contest, and it has changed my wine store experience for the better. The book lists only nationally available wines, all under $15, and ranks them as good, better and best in their price range. At last! Something that tells me whether the penguin is better than the black cat. (Turns out the penguin was not a bad choice at all). I gave it a try last weekend when we had a few friends over for a barbeque, and followed the book’s recommendation for a sangria that turned out to be perfect for a summer evening. The book is simple to use, written in clear, easy to understand language, with none of that “notes of apricots and hints of cherry mixed with oak” stuff that is so confusing about other wine books. It’s a convenient size to carry along to the store, too, and I didn’t feel like a complete idiot thumbing through the pages while wandering through the aisles. Even though I’m really a beer person at heart (and stomach), now I feel like I can choose a wine that doesn’t have to be cute.
Want a copy for yourself? It’s available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Good-Better-Best-Wines-No-Nonsense/dp/1592579779 . You can like them on facebook, too http://www.facebook.com/goodbetterbestwines?v=wall .
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Business 2 Blogger
Good news for my followers -- I have just signed up with Business 2 Blooger http://business2blogger.com/ so I can bring you some information about new products and giveaways. Are you a blogger? Check out Business 2 Blogger to see what they can do for you! Run a business? Business 2 Blogger can put you in touch with bloggers to get your products known. And the best part? It's a free service. Watch this space for developments!
Camping = Relaxing?
My husband adores camping – the fresh air; tasty grilled meals; exploring the woods; seeing the stars; toasted marshmallows on the camp fire. He is not, however, good at preparing for camping. That has somehow become my exclusive domain. Lucky me.
We had not been camping for quite a while – taking a less-than-two year old out into the forest is not my idea of a good time (although taking a two year old into the wilderness is no picnic either – but more on that later), and I refused to sleep on the ground while pregnant (since there was a distinct possibility that I would not have been able to get up from the ground then). I knew our tent was somewhere up in the attic, but finding it was an adventure in itself (although my son and I did discover lots of other treasures hiding up the attic – who knew we had a whole box of playdoh molds hiding up there?). And then all the other things we needed for camping – flashlights (batteries drained long ago, of course), sleeping bags (needed washing, since something seemed to be growing inside), grill (still filled with ashes from last summer), ice chest (ditto on the something growing inside), folding chairs (home to an entire army of spiders, all of which became very ticked off at being displaced), charcoal & lighter fluid, food for grilling, swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, industrial strength bug spray, dog’s license (we never go camping without our Nanny Dog – who would watch the kids otherwise?), special dog food since Nanny Dog refuses to touch his regular food while on “vacation”, and on and on and on. Fitting it into the car required lots of swearing, squishing, and a small dose of magic – and sliding up my seat so that the only place for my feet was somewhere over my ears. But somehow, I made it all fit in.
And where was my dearly beloved spouse during all the swearing, squishing, and small dose of magic time? Downloading songs. Downloading. Songs. Two hours of downloading. Songs. Good thing “Janie’s Got a Gun” was not on the playlist, or that would have been the headline in the paper once I discovered how he was using his time. More swearing ensued, and although I was tempted, I did not squish my husband in with the other camping stuff in the trunk (there was no room).
Off we all went to camping, with the Nanny Dog standing guard in the middle of the front seat. Unpacking the car when we arrived at the campsite brought on another round of swearing when I saw what the squishing had done.
The kids were in heaven at the campsite, discovering pine cones (which make really good missiles and hand grenades), where the last campers had built their campfire (ashes make great camouflage makeup), and delighting in the sandy soil (a giant sandbox!). My son was put in charge of gathering kindling for the fire. No need to worry, future campers – every single possible flammable article – every leaf, twig and dry bit of grass -- has been removed from that campsite, and it fed our campfire that night. My two year old busied herself with digging as large a trench as possible in the sand, and storing all the excess sand in her hair.
The next morning, I discovered what I had forgotten to pack during the swearing/squishing/small dose of magic session – clean clothes for the kids. Normally, that would not be too much of a problem, but with one child having taken on the role of High Priest to the god of fire and reeking of smoke, and the other carrying an entire sand pit in her hair and the contents of several mud puddles on her pants, it was a bit of a smelly and grubby ride back home. I’m not even going to mention what the dog got into, but it was not a bed of roses.
Once we arrived home, mountains of dirty, smelly laundry waited for me. How could so many things get so dirty and so stinky when we were only gone one night?
So, now you understand why I remain silent while my husband raves about how relaxing camping is. And now he’s talking about going camping again next weekend. Maybe I will have him download “Janie’s Got a Gun.”
We had not been camping for quite a while – taking a less-than-two year old out into the forest is not my idea of a good time (although taking a two year old into the wilderness is no picnic either – but more on that later), and I refused to sleep on the ground while pregnant (since there was a distinct possibility that I would not have been able to get up from the ground then). I knew our tent was somewhere up in the attic, but finding it was an adventure in itself (although my son and I did discover lots of other treasures hiding up the attic – who knew we had a whole box of playdoh molds hiding up there?). And then all the other things we needed for camping – flashlights (batteries drained long ago, of course), sleeping bags (needed washing, since something seemed to be growing inside), grill (still filled with ashes from last summer), ice chest (ditto on the something growing inside), folding chairs (home to an entire army of spiders, all of which became very ticked off at being displaced), charcoal & lighter fluid, food for grilling, swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, industrial strength bug spray, dog’s license (we never go camping without our Nanny Dog – who would watch the kids otherwise?), special dog food since Nanny Dog refuses to touch his regular food while on “vacation”, and on and on and on. Fitting it into the car required lots of swearing, squishing, and a small dose of magic – and sliding up my seat so that the only place for my feet was somewhere over my ears. But somehow, I made it all fit in.
And where was my dearly beloved spouse during all the swearing, squishing, and small dose of magic time? Downloading songs. Downloading. Songs. Two hours of downloading. Songs. Good thing “Janie’s Got a Gun” was not on the playlist, or that would have been the headline in the paper once I discovered how he was using his time. More swearing ensued, and although I was tempted, I did not squish my husband in with the other camping stuff in the trunk (there was no room).
Off we all went to camping, with the Nanny Dog standing guard in the middle of the front seat. Unpacking the car when we arrived at the campsite brought on another round of swearing when I saw what the squishing had done.
The kids were in heaven at the campsite, discovering pine cones (which make really good missiles and hand grenades), where the last campers had built their campfire (ashes make great camouflage makeup), and delighting in the sandy soil (a giant sandbox!). My son was put in charge of gathering kindling for the fire. No need to worry, future campers – every single possible flammable article – every leaf, twig and dry bit of grass -- has been removed from that campsite, and it fed our campfire that night. My two year old busied herself with digging as large a trench as possible in the sand, and storing all the excess sand in her hair.
The next morning, I discovered what I had forgotten to pack during the swearing/squishing/small dose of magic session – clean clothes for the kids. Normally, that would not be too much of a problem, but with one child having taken on the role of High Priest to the god of fire and reeking of smoke, and the other carrying an entire sand pit in her hair and the contents of several mud puddles on her pants, it was a bit of a smelly and grubby ride back home. I’m not even going to mention what the dog got into, but it was not a bed of roses.
Once we arrived home, mountains of dirty, smelly laundry waited for me. How could so many things get so dirty and so stinky when we were only gone one night?
So, now you understand why I remain silent while my husband raves about how relaxing camping is. And now he’s talking about going camping again next weekend. Maybe I will have him download “Janie’s Got a Gun.”
Friday, May 28, 2010
TGIFF -- Thank Goodness It's Freebie Friday!
I love Fridays, and I love freebies. Put them together and you have the best of both -- Freebie Friday!
Thanks to Mom Advice for putting together the Freebie Friday list. http://momadvice.com/blog/2010/05/freebie-friday-may-28-2010 On Saturday, there is also a Build & Grow workshop at Lowe's this weekend to build a race car http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx and two free projects at Michael's - make an American Girl Craft™ Flower Card http://theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0066.aspx or make a summer tote bag http://theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0067.aspx . All for free! Call your local store to make sure they are participating.
Thanks to Mom Advice for putting together the Freebie Friday list. http://momadvice.com/blog/2010/05/freebie-friday-may-28-2010 On Saturday, there is also a Build & Grow workshop at Lowe's this weekend to build a race car http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx and two free projects at Michael's - make an American Girl Craft™ Flower Card http://theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0066.aspx or make a summer tote bag http://theknackkids.com/EventView/Code/ev0067.aspx . All for free! Call your local store to make sure they are participating.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Darth Mama’s New Addiction
I probably have enough addictions in my life – chocolate (any and all, please, right now, thank you), coffee, a new pile of books, costume jewelry, stickers, and those little teeny sample vials of perfume (I LOVE those!). Move over, chocolate/coffee/books/etc., because there’s a new game in town, and Darth Mama can’t stop playing.
So what is my new addiction? Blog contests. I can’t stop entering, can’t stop searching for them, can’t stop hoping hoping hoping that a special little WINNER email pops up in my inbox. Only problem is, by the time I receive a WINNER email, I’ve forgotten what contests I’ve entered!
But not this one. Not this time. This time, I really really really do want to win it, and not just for the joy of seeing the WINNER email. What is my heart’s desire at this moment? One Eskimo’s new cd (plus a cool t-shirt) ! http://oneeskimo.com . I adore their song “Kandi”, even though my 5 year old gives me the fish eye when I sing along, loudly and out of tune (is there any other way to sing in the car?), and even though my 2 year old sings it as “He coo u baby, baby, baby.” Please, please, please, goddess of luck on blog contests, have mercy on my little dark soul & let me win this one!
You, too, can enter (and I won’t hate you TOO much if you win instead of me). One of my favorite blogs is Heavenly Savings, and you can enter to win at heavenlysavings.blogspot.com/2010/05/one-eskimo-album-review-and-giveaway.html Another blog I really enjoy is Katie's Nesting Spot, and you can enter to win at http://katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com/2010/05/one-eskimo-cd-and-t-shirt-giveaway.html And last (but certainly not least), I love The B Keeps Us Honest, and you can enter to win at http://thebkeepsushonest.blogspot.com/2010/05/birthday-bash-one-eskimo-cd-review.html
Will you share with me if you win? I’ll be your best friend!
So what is my new addiction? Blog contests. I can’t stop entering, can’t stop searching for them, can’t stop hoping hoping hoping that a special little WINNER email pops up in my inbox. Only problem is, by the time I receive a WINNER email, I’ve forgotten what contests I’ve entered!
But not this one. Not this time. This time, I really really really do want to win it, and not just for the joy of seeing the WINNER email. What is my heart’s desire at this moment? One Eskimo’s new cd (plus a cool t-shirt) ! http://oneeskimo.com . I adore their song “Kandi”, even though my 5 year old gives me the fish eye when I sing along, loudly and out of tune (is there any other way to sing in the car?), and even though my 2 year old sings it as “He coo u baby, baby, baby.” Please, please, please, goddess of luck on blog contests, have mercy on my little dark soul & let me win this one!
You, too, can enter (and I won’t hate you TOO much if you win instead of me). One of my favorite blogs is Heavenly Savings, and you can enter to win at heavenlysavings.blogspot.com/2010/05/one-eskimo-album-review-and-giveaway.html Another blog I really enjoy is Katie's Nesting Spot, and you can enter to win at http://katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com/2010/05/one-eskimo-cd-and-t-shirt-giveaway.html And last (but certainly not least), I love The B Keeps Us Honest, and you can enter to win at http://thebkeepsushonest.blogspot.com/2010/05/birthday-bash-one-eskimo-cd-review.html
Will you share with me if you win? I’ll be your best friend!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
From IDEA to I DID IT
My daughter’s new favorite word is “idea.” Usually she shouts it at the top of her lungs when we’re riding in the car: “IDEA! IDEA! IDEA!”
I have no idea what she means by IDEA, but the possibilities are staggering. She usually shouts it with a big grin on her face, and often starts laughing in the middle of her “IDEA” explosion. My son says she’s thinking of ideas to get into things, which is probably not that far off the mark.
I love the idea of an IDEA seizing her so quickly and so suddenly that she just has to shout. The look of pure merriment on her face when an IDEA wave strikes is, in itself, inspiring, and makes me long for the time when the world was new (at least to me) and my synapses fired with excitement, instead of just the eternal questions of what should I make for dinner, and oh no, where did the dog do it this time? The electric flash of clarity, the sudden brilliance of a scheme, the wide open potentials – these are all reflected on her face at the IDEA moment. I admit, I’m jealous of that magic and wonder.
Last night she announced her new phrase, right after I discovered why she had been unusually quiet (and right before my cabinets and I thanked all sorts of deities and Proctor & Gamble for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) – “I DID IT!” That, baby girl, sums up your next steps, and the steps for the rest of your life – taking an IDEA and turning it into an I DID IT. But please, not with magic marker all over my kitchen cabinets next time.
I have no idea what she means by IDEA, but the possibilities are staggering. She usually shouts it with a big grin on her face, and often starts laughing in the middle of her “IDEA” explosion. My son says she’s thinking of ideas to get into things, which is probably not that far off the mark.
I love the idea of an IDEA seizing her so quickly and so suddenly that she just has to shout. The look of pure merriment on her face when an IDEA wave strikes is, in itself, inspiring, and makes me long for the time when the world was new (at least to me) and my synapses fired with excitement, instead of just the eternal questions of what should I make for dinner, and oh no, where did the dog do it this time? The electric flash of clarity, the sudden brilliance of a scheme, the wide open potentials – these are all reflected on her face at the IDEA moment. I admit, I’m jealous of that magic and wonder.
Last night she announced her new phrase, right after I discovered why she had been unusually quiet (and right before my cabinets and I thanked all sorts of deities and Proctor & Gamble for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) – “I DID IT!” That, baby girl, sums up your next steps, and the steps for the rest of your life – taking an IDEA and turning it into an I DID IT. But please, not with magic marker all over my kitchen cabinets next time.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Book Review and Giveaway: I Am Hutterite
I am Hutterite
By Mary-Ann Kirkby
Thomas Nelson publisher, 2010
ISBN 978 0 8499 4810 7
Ann-Marie Dornn had an idyllic childhood – treasured friends, a close family, strong community bonds, and adventures on the plains of Manitoba, in a Hutterite colony. Descended from Austrian immigrants, the Hutterite communities were based on sharing of goods and labor in common, a simple yet deep faith, and customs and fashions followed by sixteenth century Austrian peasants. However, personality conflicts, and squabbles over community management, among the adults in the community ripped it apart, and when Ann-Marie was ten, her family left the colony to forge their own way.
Ann-Marie’s adjustment to “English” life was difficult, to say the least. Shunned as strange outcasts by their schoolmates, each of the seven Dornn children suffered through a long adjustment period. Although the Dornn family returned often to the Hutterite community to visit family and friends, their daily life was marked by loneliness and poverty. Still, the family persevered, together, and slowly grew, to acceptance by others, to economic stability, and to embracing their own heritage.
Although this was a book that I would not have customarily chosen for leisure reading (I received a copy of this book to review from www.booksneeze.com), it was a fascinating glimpse into a new culture for me, and it was extremely well written.
Want to own my copy of I Am Hutterite? Enter by becoming a follower with Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment below. I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, June 4.
A copy of I Am Hutterite was provided by www.booksneeze.com for this review, but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are solely my own (and if you don’t like them, comment below!
By Mary-Ann Kirkby
Thomas Nelson publisher, 2010
ISBN 978 0 8499 4810 7
Ann-Marie Dornn had an idyllic childhood – treasured friends, a close family, strong community bonds, and adventures on the plains of Manitoba, in a Hutterite colony. Descended from Austrian immigrants, the Hutterite communities were based on sharing of goods and labor in common, a simple yet deep faith, and customs and fashions followed by sixteenth century Austrian peasants. However, personality conflicts, and squabbles over community management, among the adults in the community ripped it apart, and when Ann-Marie was ten, her family left the colony to forge their own way.
Ann-Marie’s adjustment to “English” life was difficult, to say the least. Shunned as strange outcasts by their schoolmates, each of the seven Dornn children suffered through a long adjustment period. Although the Dornn family returned often to the Hutterite community to visit family and friends, their daily life was marked by loneliness and poverty. Still, the family persevered, together, and slowly grew, to acceptance by others, to economic stability, and to embracing their own heritage.
Although this was a book that I would not have customarily chosen for leisure reading (I received a copy of this book to review from www.booksneeze.com), it was a fascinating glimpse into a new culture for me, and it was extremely well written.
Want to own my copy of I Am Hutterite? Enter by becoming a follower with Google Friend Connect, and leave a comment below. I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, June 4.
A copy of I Am Hutterite was provided by www.booksneeze.com for this review, but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are solely my own (and if you don’t like them, comment below!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.
This weekend, I realized we are THAT family. You know the ones – tempting the neighborhood kids with their hot dogs and nutritionally useless popsicles, forever squirting innocent passersby with water guns and brandishing light sabers, and letting the baby wander off to the street. Yep, that’s us.
The realization started with a play date that fell flat, despite the best of intentions. My son invited his friend over for some play time after a rousing game of t-ball, in which the score was 834 to 973, but no one could remember which side scored what. My daughter was busy watering the lawn, the plants, the dog, herself, and everyone else who was unwise enough to come within range of a two year old with a hose. My son offered his friend a water gun to defend himself, but “we don’t play with guns” was the response. My son, being a kind host and worrying about his defenseless friend, immediately offered him the second best choice – a light saber. “I’m not allowed to play Star Wars” was his reply. “But it’s a foam one, it doesn’t hurt!” was how my son responded. But no good – the “no Star Wars” ban was firmly in effect. By this point, both boys were pretty soaked, and still had nothing to play. My son finally located the water valve and cut off his sister’s supply. So, she decided to go for a walk down the street, on her own, after she took off all her clothes except her red snow boots.
Luckily, our security system worked, and she did not make it out of the driveway. By “security system”, I mean our dog Tiger. Tiger is part Staffordshire terrier and displays his herding heritage by acting as nanny dog to our children. What happens with an unstoppable force (our daughter, determined to go run in the street) meets an immoveable object (Tiger, in full nanny mode)? Lots of doggie slurping, a shout of from my 2 year old of “Tee-gare! Gooddoggie!” and a happy toddler and a happy dog returning to the backyard.
By this time, all of the kids were getting pretty hungry, so I started running through the list of what they could have for lunch. My two voted enthusiastically for hot dogs, but all suggestions to our guest were vetoed. Our guest’s mom said no to hot dogs (nitrates); no to peanut butter and jelly (allergies); no to cheese pizza (fat and sodium); no to pasta (not whole wheat), and when in a moment of desperation I offered popsicles, his mom suddenly remembered an afternoon appointment, and they fled.
While my kids (who decided, after hearing the list of lunch items, that they wanted it ALL) were refueling, I realized how we looked to “outsiders”. Me, with my muddy jeans and who-knows-what from the morning on my shirt; my son, with his spiderman pj shirt under his t-ball shirt and his pants that evidenced his recent growth spurt (can 5 year old boys wear capris???); and my daughter, who had given up her naked moment and was now sporting an Elmo shirt, piles of mardi gras beads, sunglasses on upside down, flowered pants and two different dress-up shoes (one white, one purple). Oh, and Tiger, who desperately needed a bath, and who was helping himself to an unguarded hot dog.
Yes, we’re THAT family, but we do love to have a good time, and if you come over, we’ll show you how to make your own lightsaber with a pool noodle and some duct tape. So come on over to our Dark Side – we have cookies. And hot dogs, and Dora popsicles (with 25% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. I checked. I do have SOME standards).
The realization started with a play date that fell flat, despite the best of intentions. My son invited his friend over for some play time after a rousing game of t-ball, in which the score was 834 to 973, but no one could remember which side scored what. My daughter was busy watering the lawn, the plants, the dog, herself, and everyone else who was unwise enough to come within range of a two year old with a hose. My son offered his friend a water gun to defend himself, but “we don’t play with guns” was the response. My son, being a kind host and worrying about his defenseless friend, immediately offered him the second best choice – a light saber. “I’m not allowed to play Star Wars” was his reply. “But it’s a foam one, it doesn’t hurt!” was how my son responded. But no good – the “no Star Wars” ban was firmly in effect. By this point, both boys were pretty soaked, and still had nothing to play. My son finally located the water valve and cut off his sister’s supply. So, she decided to go for a walk down the street, on her own, after she took off all her clothes except her red snow boots.
Luckily, our security system worked, and she did not make it out of the driveway. By “security system”, I mean our dog Tiger. Tiger is part Staffordshire terrier and displays his herding heritage by acting as nanny dog to our children. What happens with an unstoppable force (our daughter, determined to go run in the street) meets an immoveable object (Tiger, in full nanny mode)? Lots of doggie slurping, a shout of from my 2 year old of “Tee-gare! Gooddoggie!” and a happy toddler and a happy dog returning to the backyard.
By this time, all of the kids were getting pretty hungry, so I started running through the list of what they could have for lunch. My two voted enthusiastically for hot dogs, but all suggestions to our guest were vetoed. Our guest’s mom said no to hot dogs (nitrates); no to peanut butter and jelly (allergies); no to cheese pizza (fat and sodium); no to pasta (not whole wheat), and when in a moment of desperation I offered popsicles, his mom suddenly remembered an afternoon appointment, and they fled.
While my kids (who decided, after hearing the list of lunch items, that they wanted it ALL) were refueling, I realized how we looked to “outsiders”. Me, with my muddy jeans and who-knows-what from the morning on my shirt; my son, with his spiderman pj shirt under his t-ball shirt and his pants that evidenced his recent growth spurt (can 5 year old boys wear capris???); and my daughter, who had given up her naked moment and was now sporting an Elmo shirt, piles of mardi gras beads, sunglasses on upside down, flowered pants and two different dress-up shoes (one white, one purple). Oh, and Tiger, who desperately needed a bath, and who was helping himself to an unguarded hot dog.
Yes, we’re THAT family, but we do love to have a good time, and if you come over, we’ll show you how to make your own lightsaber with a pool noodle and some duct tape. So come on over to our Dark Side – we have cookies. And hot dogs, and Dora popsicles (with 25% of the daily requirement of vitamin C. I checked. I do have SOME standards).
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